Hoover's Delivers API 3.0 for Improved Web App Development

Hoover's, a business information services provider, on Dec. 2 announced the availability of an upgraded version of its API for developers, Hoover's API 3.0.

Hoover's API enables customers to access the Hoover's and Dun & Bradstreet databases "to stream on-demand data into enterprisewide systems—including CRM systems, corporate intranets and Web forms—through custom integrations and through commercial applications, delivering business insight directly into their workflows without having to store the data," Hoover's said in a news release.

Moreover, with the API 3.0 release, "Hoover's has doubled the number of company records available—from 30 million to 60 million ... The launch of Hoover's API 3.0 also increases the number of professional contacts available from 44 million to 69 million," and also "provides access to new data points, including D&B prescreen score, longitude and latitude information, and expanded people and compensation information," Hoover's said. The statement continued:

"Hoover's API 3.0 is targeted to the following business segments:

·   Enterprise customers that want Hoover's data in their CRM systems, ERP systems and marketing automation tools, or in any other internal system or application where deeper customer and supplier insight is needed, including web form appending

·  CRM software providers that incorporate Hoover's into their applications

·   Developers creating new products for customers with Hoover's mashups and new applications that leverage Hoover's content and tools

"Providing API access to Hoover's is just another step toward reaching our goal to deliver the power of Hoover's directly within our customers' daily workflow," said Hyune Hand, Hoover's president. "Hoover's API 3.0 allows us to extend Hoover's insight to a broader audience via a variety of new and different Web services. This upgrade reinforces our commitment to offering quicker access to relevant business information and workflow tools for sales and marketing professionals."

The company also said, "Hoover's API users will also benefit from new search parameters, which allow them to search by primary URL for advanced company searches, as well as by latitude and longitude for advanced company and people searches.

"Xobni, the popular Outlook plug-in with over 3 million downloads, uses Hoover's API to integrate company information into users' e-mail inboxes."

"Showing company information from Hoover's within the Xobni sidebar gives users instant access to rich company information related to the sender of the e-mail they are viewing," said Eric Grafstrom, vice president of business development at Xobni. "Hoover's API supports our efforts to help sales and business professionals be more efficient and productive by delivering relevant, actionable information about their contacts without having to leave Outlook."